I just bought another set of Cooper tires, the newest Evolution HT, it was just on sale for $415 and a 10% rebate. So if you can be patient, you can find very good tires for about $100 each. The same seller wants $464 for them now, with no other discounts;
4 NEW 255/70-16 COOPER EVOLUTION HT 70R R16 TIRES 34371 29142889793 | eBay
You can lower the truck a little, but only if the alignment can be adjusted to work with that. Lowering or lifting alters the camber a lot, often it can't be aligned right when lowered or lifted much.
Bilstein makes about the best shocks for a bolt on application like these, off roading(lifting a lot) puts you into other brands with taller shocks made for the different range of travel. The Bilsteins used to be about $260-$270 for four, total. Good brands should cost at least say $40 each, check Rock Auto for comparisons.
Any older vehicle will have wear from simply age, not the mileage.
I just bought a 53k miles 92 Lincoln last year. The lower BJ's have dry rotted boots, which cannot be replaced. So I just ordered new BJ's, for a 53k mile car.
I'd replace all fluids, all coolant hoses, BJ's(boots are toast), all filters, and the plugs should be R&R'd too for sure. Watch for any brake pull or dragging, unused calipers often stick or drag, which at the best will eat pads.
Don't crank the steering wheel all the way one way or the other, reach the end and let off pressure(that's bad for the pump and rack). The PS fluid should be replaced anyway, so after that then decide if there is still an odd symptom.
Many of the 99-01 Explorers have a painted grille, the chrome became rare. Buy a used one and have it painted, altering chrome is a PITA, skip that. Find you a Saleen bumper, that would change the look a lot, if you could find one.